Matthew R. Koss, founder and president of Primal Pet Foods, released the news on social media, stating, “As these products do not meet our precise specifications, we are requesting that these specific products and lot codes be returned to the Primal retailer at which the product was originally purchased for full credit.”

Koss said the bone grind size was about 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch above the ideal. He added, “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to you and your pets.”

This is the first widely announced pet food recall in Darwin’s Natural Pet Products history, though other “silent” recalls have taken place over the past 14 months. (See the full recall history for Darwin’s here.)

A company representative, reached by phone, confirmed the current recall to Petful, saying that around 2,000 customers are affected. He said the recall follows positive testing for salmonella from the FDA.

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Gary Tashjian, Darwin’s president, wrote an email to distributors that said in part, “We have not received any reports [of illnesses] from customers regarding these meals, and are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution.” He added, “We are taking steps to reduce the opportunity for this to occur again.”

Essential Everyday: Lot codes that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020

Exer-Hides: Lot codes that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020

Good Lovin’ or Petco: Lot codes that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020

Hill Country Fare: Lot codes that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020

Priority Pet: Lot codes that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020

The company has received limited reports of illness in dogs with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.

The company identified the additive in manufacturing plants in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia and voluntarily issued the product recalls. The compound mixture is commonly used in disinfectants, detergents and fabric softeners and is not approved as an additive to food products.

According to the recall report, “Exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds through direct ingestion may cause the following symptoms in dogs: reduced appetite, and gastric irritation including diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms may require treatment by a veterinarian depending on severity.”

The products were distributed to California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.

According to the FDA, “Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.”

April 17, 2017

Maker: Party AnimalCause: Potential for pentobarbitalAnnouncement: Company report dated April 17, 2017What was recalled: 13-ounce cans of dog food:

Cocolicious Beef & Turkey, Lot #0136E15204 04, best by July 2019

Cocolicious Chicken & Beef, Lot #0134E15 237 13, best by August 2019

Although the specific manufacturing facility is not listed in the recall report, it may be related to previous recalls earlier this year for the same cause. Those earlier recalls affected Evanger’s and Against the Grain dog food.

According to the FDA, the drug pentobarbital “can affect animals that ingest it, and possibly cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance or nausea, or in extreme cases, possibly death.” At least one dog has died, and several others were injured, after apparently consuming Hunk of Beef.

March 20, 2017

Maker: EuroCan ManufacturingCause: Potential for salmonellaAnnouncement:FDA report dated March 20, 2017What was recalled: The following brands of pig ears:

Barnsdale Farms pig ears, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags, lot #84

HoundsTooth pig ears, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags, lot #84

Mac’s Choice pig ears, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags, lot #84

The products were distributed and sold in Canada and the United States.

According to the Global News Wire report, “Dogs ingesting high levels of beef thyroid hormones may exhibit symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased heart rate and restlessness. These symptoms may resolve when the use of the impacted food is discontinued. However, with prolonged consumption these symptoms may increase in severity and may include vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid or difficulty breathing.”

According to the Food Standards Agency, “Thiamine deficiency in cats may impact a cat’s health. At least three cats have been identified which became seriously unwell after switching to one of the affected products and exhibited symptoms ranging from sudden collapse, [seizures], widespread twitching and general unsteadiness which are not the classic symptoms of thiamine deficiency.”

Blue Buffalo says this recall involves “a very limited number of cans.” The company explained that it was “notified by one of our suppliers of the possible presence of aluminum in one of our production runs.”

No other Blue Buffalo products are involved, the company says, and there have been no reports of illness or injury leading up to the recall.

WellPet says it is recalling the products out of an abundance of caution.

There were no foreign materials found in Wellness products. However, this line of Wellness canned cat food is manufactured in the same facility as another brand that was just recalled for foreign material.

The company did not explain the foreign material suspected in the food, but the recall announcement stated that no consumer complaints have been received. Companion canned dog food is sold in Giant Food Stores.

The company first issued a limited recall, then eventually expanded it into a full recall of 3 separate varieties of pulled-beef canned pet foods from Evanger’s and Against the Grain.

Dog food recalls are one thing, but what was so horrifying about this one was the nature of the possible contaminant: a barbiturate called pentobarbital, which doubles as a euthanasia drug.

According to the FDA, “Oral exposure to pentobarbital can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth in a jerky manner), inability to stand and coma.”

Jan. 13, 2017

The affected products were sold in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

According to the FDA, “Listeria can affect animals eating the product, and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surface exposed to these products.”

According to the FDA, “Cats fed diets low in thiamine for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss.”

“In advanced cases,” the FDA says, “neurological signs can develop, which include ventroflexion (bending toward the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these symptoms. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.”

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There were no more recalls in 2017. Start browsing the previous year’s recalls here: